Crestview board reviews bond options

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

CONVOY — The Crestview Local Board of Education discussed options for refunding the school’s construction bond issue, while also accepting the resignation, due to retirement, of two longtime district educators.

Board members heard a presentation from Michael Burns, a consultant with Robert W. Baird & Company, on possible refunding options. According to Superintendent Mike Estes, possible refunding options including using up to $1.1 million of General Fund money to pay off the bond issue as early as 2018, while the board also looked at the possibility of refunding the bond issue to enable lower payments, and a longer payoff term.

Estes said the board could also look at the possibility of “tax holidays” — paying a year’s payment on the bond from the district’s General Fund and not collect on the bond issue in that year.

Crestview currently owes approximately $4 million on the bond issue, which was approved by voters to fund the district’s renovation-construction project a few years ago.

Board members will review the options and would likely make a final decision at its March meeting.

Estes also noted in his report that the board has two submissions for a district master site plan that were due by today. Submissions have been received so far from Encompass of Findlay and district architect Garmann Miller.

The superintendent also told the board that the district has used just 22.5 hours for weather-related delays and cancellations and has 34.5 hours remaining for this school year. The board will also hear a presentation on the Long Prairie Wind Farm project at its March meeting.

Also Thursday, the board accepted the resignations, due to retirement, of vocational agriculture teacher Paul Pohlman, after 32 years in education with the district, effective June 1, and high school science teacher Jeff Bagley, after 32 years with the district, effective the end of the 2015-16 school year.

Bagley and Athletic Director Owen Pugh are seeking re-employment with the district during the 2016-17 school year. A public hearing will be held on those requests at the March board meeting.

The board also approved Family Medical Leave for Natasha Breese as part of her maternity leave that starts this month.

High School Principal Mike Biro noted in his report that a blood drive January 20 at the school netted 103 units of blood, while he also reminded board members of a College Credit Plus program meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, February 29, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

Middle School Principal Dave Bowen noted that interim reports will be sent home on February 26, while the Crestview Scholastic Bowl season will begin February 27.

Elementary Principal Kathy Mollenkopf noted that Friday, March 4, would be the end of the current trimester, with grade cards sent out March 17. Kindergarten registration will be held, she noted, March 14-18.

In other personnel action, the board accepted the resignation of high school life science teacher Nicole Fruchey after two years in the district and Jennifer Buffenbarger as a food service employee after six months in the district.

Supplemental contract resignations include the following: Morgan Hicks as seventh grade volleyball coach, Jordan Miller as middle school track coach and Model UN advisor, Aaron George, as Model UN advisor, all effective immediately.

The board also approved the following new supplemental contracts: Hicks as varsity assistant softball coach, Becky Macki as seventh grade softball coach (40 percent), Kent McClure as seventh grade softball coach (60 percent), and Rachel Ciminillo as middle school track coach, all for this school year.

In other action, the board:

• Approved an overnight trip for the senior government class to Columbus on March 28-29, with advisor Aaron George.
• Approved the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school calendars as presented.
• Authorized a contract with the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Service Cooperative for Internet services for the coming school year.
• Went into executive session to discuss personnel items, with no action taken afterwards.

The next regular meeting of the Crestview Local Board of Education will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in the district boardroom.